Report by SJG

CHESHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE

NORTHWICH VICTORIA vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

 21^st October 1933

GOALSCORING DEBUT FOR O’ROURKE PROVES DECISIVE.

Wigan escaped from Northwich with both points in an all action ‘ding-dong’ affair that could have gone either way.  The game was packed with incident and Latics can consider themselves somewhat fortunate to finally register their first (and hopefully not their last) away league win.

The Vics started on the attack but Latics always looked dangerous on the counter attack and only the home sides well drilled offside trap kept Wigan, and the lively Scott in particular, at bay.

Walters had the first real opportunity for the hosts but his shot, from a tight angle, only found the side netting. Rawsthorn then had a snap shot that flew just wide of Caunce’s goal. At the other end Scott drifted in a teasing cross that found the head of O’Rourke bit the effort was denied by Prince who was well positioned.

Wigan gradually settled into the game and they began to look more threatening and on 15 minutes a neat passing exchange involving Robinson, Harrison, Cowper and Scott ended when Scott slipped past his marker and this allowed COWPER to slide a tidy shot past the home keeper to give Latics the lead.

Three minutes later and Latics thought they had doubled their lead when Felton dove in to plant a header from a Kavanagh cross beyond Prince and into the net, but the offside flag was raised.

The home side were having success down the left flank, with Walters prominent, and a floated cross caused panic in the Wigan defences with Caunce beaten and it was fortunate that O’Donnell managed to cover and clear the ball off the goal-line.

Felton and Scott both squandered further chances but at the break Wigan still held a narrow lead over the home side.

Half Time; Northwich Victoria 0-1 Wigan Athletic.

The second half began with Victoria pushing forward and Owen headed just over the Wigan goal.  Wigan quickly responded with both Felton and Snaith having shooting chances, but both failed to test the keeper.

Northwich won a corner kick and a fine delivery by Walters led to mayhem in the Latics area with a number of shots being blocked as Wigan tried to smuggle the ball to safety. Robinson did appear to handle but the referee, who may have been unsighted, waved play on and the Wigan goal remained intact.

On 55 minutes Victoria got the goal that they deserved when a low Walters cross tempted Caunce from his line as he attempted to collect and EDWARDS nipped in-front of the keeper and prodded the ball home.

The game became feisty as both sides fought for the ascendancy and the referee had to have words with a number of players. Then on 59 minutes Harrison played a fine ball through for Scott and he floated a cross in towards O’ROURKE. The debutant did well to hold off two challenges from defenders and as Prince advanced towards him he steered the ball into the net.

Northwich were far from finished and a sweeping attack ended with Dale floating a teasing cross-cum-shot into the box that deceived Caunce and entered the Latics net via a post. However, both Owen and Rawsthorn had flung themselves at the cross in an attempt to gain a touch and they were deemed to be offside.

Caunce was called into action again, this time he produced a brilliant save to deny the increasingly unfortunate Owen. Felton then played a ball through to release Cowper but with only the keeper to beat he hesitated and Prince was able to smother the ball.

Owen flashed a shot against the bar and with only two minutes left on the clock Curley whipped in a shot that Caunce fumbled and the defence could only hold its breath as the ball trickled just wide of the goal.

Full Time; Northwich Victoria 1-2 Wigan Athletic. 

Scorers; Cowper (15), O’Rourke (59); Edwards (55);

Attendance; 3,000

Team; WIGAN---Caunce; Robinson, O’Donnell; Kavanagh, O’Dell, Harrison; Cowper, Felton, O’Rourke, Snaith, Scott;

NORTHWICH VICTORIA---Prince; Wooton, McDonald; Williamson, Allcock, Curley; Edwards, Rawthorn, Owen, Dale, Walters;

Referee; Mr. J. H. Hartley (Chester)